The concept of autonomous ships sailing along coastlines, inland waterways and even on the high seas is no longer confined to science fiction. During a recent CONNECTING PORTS talk show hosted by HPC Hamburg Port Consulting (HPC), experts came together to discuss the emerging reality of autonomous shipping and highlight how this technology is gradually becoming part of modern logistics.
Also read: Eventual autonomous shipping faces huge hurdles
The forum was moderated by Christina Prieser, Associate Partner at HPC, and featured insights from three industry leaders: Ørnulf Jan Rødseth, Managing Director of the Norwegian Forum for Autonomous Ships (NFAS), Marc Holstein, Head of the SEAFAR Remote Operations Centre in Antwerp, and Antoon van Collie, CEO of ZULU Associates.
Rødseth shared Norway’s pioneering initiatives in semi-autonomous shipping, including the world’s first semi-autonomous container ship, which will begin transporting cargo in spring 2022. Operating with a minimal crew and controlled remotely, the vessel demonstrates the practical application of autonomous technology in coastal services.
Holstein highlighted the deployment of SEAFAR technology on more than 40 vessels, mainly in inland waterways. He stressed the seamless integration of reduced crew and remotely controlled vessels with existing infrastructure, particularly in Belgium. Meanwhile, van Collie discussed France’s progress in allowing autonomous ships to sail in its waters, with plans to operate unmanned ships by next year.
The discussion also touched on the potential of autonomous ships for urban logistics. In cities such as New York and Paris, small autonomous ships are already used to transport goods, some of which are even powered by hydrogen. Fancoli believes this model will expand to other cities such as Hamburg and Berlin.
Looking ahead, Norway’s ASKO plans to replace road transport with two battery-powered semi-autonomous ro-ro vessels by 2026, reducing road traffic and infrastructure needs. Experts agree that remote control can improve operational safety and make shore-based captains’ shifts shorter and more manageable compared to traditional seafaring roles.
As the possibilities of autonomous shipping continue to take shape, it’s clear that this technology will revolutionize the logistics and transportation industries, providing safer, more efficient, and more environmentally friendly solutions.
The full session Connecting Ports #08 is available on YouTube: Connecting Ports | Session #8 | Navigating Next: The Path to Autonomous Maritime Transport (youtube.com)
The next Connected Ports conference will be held on September 5, 2024. The conference will focus on a pressing industry topic: cybersecurity challenges in ports. Reserve your seat now, as registration is still open: Connecting the Port – HPC Hamburg Port Consulting GmbH
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